Trace element solution

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a trace element solution, which comprises at least the following metals: at least 65 mg/ml zinc directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s) and/or Zn Oxide; at least 10 mg/ml manganese directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s) and/or Mn carbonate; at least 15 mg/ml copper directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s) and/or copper sulphate and/or copper oxide and/or carbonate; and at least 5 mg/ml selenium. The trace element solution comprises at least the following: at least 65 mg/ml zinc derived directly and/or indirectly from ZN-EDTA and/or Zn Oxide; at least 10 mg/ml manganese derived directly and/or indirectly from Mn-EDTA and/or Mn carbonate; at least 15 mg/ml copper derived directly and/or indirectly from Cu-EDTA and/or copper oxide and/or copper sulphate and/or copper carbonate; and at least 5 mg/ml selenium derived directly and/or indirectly from Na 2 SeO 4  and/or Na 2 SeO 3 .

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a trace element solution.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a trace elementsolution incorporating Zinc, Manganese, Copper and Selenium.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

It has been found that there is a deficiency of certain trace elementsin pastures for livestock in particular areas around the world. Varioussuggestions have been made to provide the required trace elements tosuch animals. Different chemical compounds and complexes have beeninvestigated for applying the trace elements by way of licks, drenchesor injections.

In general the problem with injectable solutions is that theconcentrations of the minerals in the solutions is too low. This meansthat relatively large quantities have to be injected, which in turncauses tissue damage and also abscesses at the site of injection.Furthermore, it is generally the case that different trace elementsseldomly are individually sufficient. This means that two or more traceelement solutions have to be provided by way of separate injections.

ZA 1982/6778 (Laurie) discloses a trace element solution and a method ofproviding the trace elements to livestock. These trace element solutionsinclude ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid complex of the requiredmineral in suitable quantities. However, the trace element solutionincludes no selenium or selenite compound.

In the specification and claims the expression EDTA refers to ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (C₁₀H₁₆O₈N₂ or (HO₂CH₂C)₂NCH₂CH₂N—(CH₂CO₂H)₂).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,116 (Howard) discloses mineral-containingtherapeutic compositions containing EDTA complexes of trace elements.Notably, U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,116 utilises tetra-sodium EDTA, a seleniumglycine complex, and metal chlorides for the preparation of the EDTAcomplexes. Unfortunately, the chloride ions cause contamination and eachcomplex solution has to be made individually. Furthermore, overnighttime is required for complexing and heating up afterward to speed up theprocess, requiring extra apparatus. If mixtures are required, theindividual solutions are to be blended. If various concentrations aswell as compositions are to be made, it can only be done in a cumbersomeway, requiring extra apparatus. A further problem arises when mixturesof high concentration are needed. In certain cases it would beimpossible to deliver them, because mixing is always accompanied bydilution. The maximum concentration achieved with this method was 13.5mg/ml.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,539 (Laurie et al) discloses a method of preparing atrace element solution, which includes the steps of providing at leastone EDTA-complex, of providing a sodium selenite solution, and ofcombining the EDTA-complexes and the sodium selenite solution. However,the method enables production of a trace element solution of only about55 mg/ml.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,292 (Laurie et al) discloses a trace elementsolution, which comprises at least one metal selected from the groupcomprising selenium, copper, zinc, manganese and chromium and whichcomprises a concentration of the metal(s) of at least 60 mg/ml. Thesolution further comprises at least one compound selected from the groupcomprising iodine, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, iron, iron chloride,zinc oxide, manganese sulphate, sodium selenite, copper carbonate,sodium carbonate, anhydrous disodium EDTA and sodium hydroxide. Thetrace element solution is prepared by a method consisting essentially ofthe steps of preparing a MnCO₃ mixture in a container; adding anEDTA/NaOH mixture to the container and subsequently adding at least onemetal compound; and adding Na₂SeO₃ to the container to obtain the traceelement solution. The method also comprises the step of addingCrCl₃.6H₂O to the trace element solution.

Unfortunately the known methods do not always provide the idealconcentration requirements and ideal and required ratios and do notresult in stable concentrations and trace element solutions. Also theknown methods are difficult to process.

It is an object of the invention to suggest a trace element solution forovercoming these problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a trace element solution, comprises at leastthe following metals:

-   -   (a) at least 65 mg/ml zinc derived directly and/or indirectly        from mineral EDTA chelate(s);    -   (b) at least 10 mg/ml manganese derived directly and/or        indirectly from mineral EDTA chelate(s);    -   (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper derived directly and/or indirectly        from mineral EDTA chelate(s); and    -   (d) at least 5 mg/ml selenium.

Also according to the invention, a trace element solution, comprises atleast the following metals:

-   -   (a) at least 65 mg/ml zinc derived directly and/or indirectly        from ZN-EDTA and/or zinc oxide;    -   (b) at least 10 mg/ml manganese derived directly and/or        indirectly from Mn-EDTA and/or Mn carbonate;    -   (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper derived directly and/or indirectly        from Cu-EDTA and/or copper oxide and/or copper sulphate and/or        copper carbonate; and    -   (d) at least 5 mg/ml selenium derived from Na₂SeO₄ and/or        Na₂SeO₃.

The mineral EDTA chelates may be derived directly and/or indirectly fromZinc oxide, manganese carbonate, copper carbonate, copper sulphate,copper oxide, EDTA and/or sodium hydroxide.

The trace element solution may additionally comprise iodine.

The trace element solution may additional comprise 50 mg/ml iodine.

The iodine may be derived from potassium iodide.

The ratio of zinc to manganese may be at least 6.5:1.

The ratio of zinc to copper may be at least 4:1.

The ratio of zinc to selenium may be at least 13:1.

The concentration of the metals (excluding iodine) may be at least 95mg/ml.

In addition to the aforementioned materials, the trace element solutionmay also be prepared with the addition of water, chlorocresol and/orbenzyl alcohol.

The pH of the trace element solution may be adjusted by means of 30%NaOH.

The solution may be an injectable trace element solution.

The solution may be visually stable.

The invention also extends to a method of preparing a trace elementsolution as described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE

The invention will now be described by way of an example of a traceelement solution in accordance with the invention.

The example relates to a trace element solution predominantly to be usedfor cattle and includes the mineral elements zinc, manganese, seleniumand copper.

According to the invention, a trace element solution, comprises thefollowing metals:

-   -   (a) zinc directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA        chelate(s);    -   (b) manganese directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA        chelate(s);    -   (c) copper directly and/or indirectly from mineral EDTA        chelate(s); and    -   (d) selenium.

The trace element solution, comprises at least the following metals:

-   -   (a) at least 65 mg/ml zinc derived directly and/or indirectly        from ZN-EDTA and/or zinc oxide;    -   (b) at least 10 mg/ml manganese derived directly and/or        indirectly from Mn-EDTA and/or Mn carbonate;    -   (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper derived directly and/or indirectly        from Cu-EDTA and/or copper oxide and/or copper sulphate and/or        copper carbonate; and    -   (d) at least 5 mg/ml selenium derived from Na₂SeO₄ and/or        Na₂SeO₃.

The trace element solution can additional comprise 50 mg/ml iodine.

The iodine is derived from potassium iodide.

The ratio of zinc to manganese is at least 6.5:1.

The ratio of zinc to copper is at least 4:1.

The ratio of zinc to selenium is at least 13:1.

The concentration of the metals (excluding iodine) is at least 95 mg/ml.

In addition to the aforementioned materials, the trace element solutionis also be prepared with the addition of water, chlorocresol and/orbenzyl alcohol.

The pH of the trace element solution is adjusted by means of 30% NaOH.

The solution can be an injectable trace element solution.

The solution is visually stable.

The mineral EDTA chelates can be derived directly and/or indirectly fromZinc oxide, manganese carbonate, copper carbonate, copper oxide, coppersulphate, EDTA and/or sodium hydroxide.

The invention also extends to a method of preparing a trace elementsolution as described herein.

Example 1

g/L SPECIFICATIONS Zinc 65 Manganese 10 Copper 15 Selenium 5 Iodine 50(A) 1. Purified water 637.255 2. Mn-EDTA (14.12%) 70.83 3. Zn-EDTA(16.36%) 397.31 4. Cu-EDTA (15.98%) 93.89 5. Mix with silverson untilsolution is clear (B) 1. pH: Record pH 2. heat to 50° C. Addchlorocresol and mix 1.1 until dissolved (±10 mins) 3. pH: Record pHOR 1. pH: record pH 2. Add benzyl alcohol and mix until 10.46 dissolved(±10 mins) 3. pH: Record pH 4. Cool to <25° C. and add Na₂SeO₄ or11.96/10.95 Na₂SeO₃ 5. pH: 6. Potassium Iodide 65.407 (C) 1. Adjust pHto 7/7.5/8 with 30% NaOH 2. SG: 1.275-1.35 3. Filter solution

Example 2

g/L SPECIFICATIONS Zinc 65 Manganese 10 Copper 15 Selenium 5 (A) 6.Purified water 637.255 7. Mn-EDTA (14.12%) 70.83 8. Zn-EDTA (16.36%)397.31 9. Cu-EDTA (15.98%) 93.89 10 Mix with silverson until solution isclear (B) 4. pH: record 5. Heat to 50° C. and add chlorocresol and 1.1mix until dissolved (±10 mins) 6. pH: Record OR 7. pH: 8. Add benzylalcohol and mix until 10.46 dissolved (±10 mins) 9. pH: 10. Cool to <25°C. and add Na₂SeO₄ or 11.96/10.95 Na₂SeO₃ 11. pH: (C) 1. Adjust pH to7/7.5/8 with 30% NaOH 2. SG: 1.275-1.35 3. Filter solution

Example 3

g/L SPECIFICATIONS Zinc 70 Manganese 10 Copper 15 Selenium 5 Iodine 50(A) 11. Purified water 637.255 12. Mn-EDTA (14.12%) 70.83 13. Zn-EDTA(16.36%) 427.87 14. Cu-EDTA (15.98%) 93.89 15. Mix with silverson untilsolution is clear (B) 7. pH: Record pH 8. Heat to 50° C. and Addchlorocresol and 1.1 mix until dissolved (±10 mins) 9. pH: Record pH OR12. pH: 13. Add benzyl alcohol and mix until 10.46 dissolved (±10 mins)14. pH: 15. Cool to <20° C. and add Na₂SeO₄ or 11.96/10.95 Na₂SeO₃ 16.pH: 17. Potassium Iodide 65.407 (C) 1. Adjust pH to 7/7.5/8 with 30%NaOH 2. SG: 1.275-1.35 3. Filter solution

Example 4

g/L Zinc 70 Manganese 10 Copper 15 Selenium 5 (A) 16. Purified water637.255 17. Mn-EDTA (14.12%) 70.83 18. Zn-EDTA (16.36%) 427.87 19.Cu-EDTA (15.98%) 93.89 20. Mix with silverson until solution is clear(B) 10. pH: Record pH 11. Heat to 50° C. and Add chlorocresol and 1.1mix until dissolved (±10 mins) 12. pH: Record pH OR 18. pH: 19. Addbenzyl alcohol and mix until 10.46 dissolved (±10 mins) 20. pH: 21. Coolto <20° C. and add Na₂SeO₄ or 11.96/10.95 Na₂SeO₃ 22. pH: (C) 1. AdjustpH to 7/7.5/8 with 30% NaOH 2. SG: 1.275-1.35 3. Filter solution

The invention claimed is:
 1. A trace element solution, which comprises at least the following metals: (a) at least 65 mg/ml zinc directly and/or indirectly from Zn-EDTA and/or Zn oxide; (b) at least 10 mg/ml manganese directly and/or indirectly from Mn-EDTA and/or manganese carbonate; (c) at least 15 mg/ml copper directly and/or indirectly from Cu-EDTA and/or copper oxide and/or copper sulphate, and/or copper carbonate; and (d) at least 5 mg/ml selenium derived directly and/or indirectly from Na₂SeO₄ and/or Na₂SeO₃; wherein: (a) the ratio of zinc to manganese is at least 6.5:1; (b) the ratio of zinc to copper is at least 4:1; and (c) the ratio of zinc to selenium is at least 13:1; and wherein the the metals are present in a solution of water, chlorocresol and/or benzyl alcohol, at a concentration of metals of at least 95 mg/ml; with the pH of the trace element solution adjusted by means of 30% NaOH in an injectable trace element solution that is visually stable.
 2. A trace element solution as claimed in claim 1, which additionally comprises iodine.
 3. A trace element solution as claimed in claim 2, which comprises 50 mg/ml iodine.
 4. A trace element solution as claimed in claim 2, in which the iodine is derived from potassium iodide. 